HEALTH-CARE-INDUSTRY

NATURAL RUBBER LATEX ALLERGY. THE EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE

The European experience with natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy was discussed. Hospital employees represent the largest occupational risk group for NRL allergy. Rubber gloves are considered to be the most important cause of NRL allergy, although other products such as balloons, condoms, and dental dams can also cause NRL allergy. The symptoms of NRL allergy can range from mild itching to severe systemic reactions such as anaphylaxis. Mucous membrane contact with NRL appears to cause more severe symptoms than cutaneous contact. Methods for diagnosing NRL allergy include skin prick testing, use tests, and detection of serum NRL specific immunoglobulin-E (IgE) antibodies. Radioallergosorbent tests and occasionally immunoblotting and radioelectrophoretic techniques are used to detect NRL specific IgE antibodies. Crossreactivity of NRL and food allergens and the epidemiological aspects of NRL allergy in Europe were considered. Seven studies of European health care workers have indicated NRL allergy prevalence rates of 0.12 to 10.7%.

Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America, 15(1):71-88, 1995. (90 references)

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